Associate Civil Engineer

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

Established in 2005, UNOPS Sudan is a key partner in advancing community well-being through infrastructure, procurement, and project management services that support humanitarian, recovery, and sustainable development efforts. UNOPS contributes to improved access to clean water, supports peacekeeping operations, and assists in implementing the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement by helping operationalize the Permanent Ceasefire Committee for Darfur in collaboration with UNITAMS. Ongoing initiatives focus on enhancing access to water and strengthening health services across the country, with particular efforts in Kassala state to expand diagnostic capacity and upgrade healthcare infrastructure. Through these projects, UNOPS supports stability, resilience, and improved living conditions for communities across Sudan.

This position operates within a dynamic project environment focused on the rehabilitation and construction of health facilities in Kassala. The Associate Civil Engineer supports the implementation of construction activities, working closely with contractors, suppliers, and project teams to ensure quality and timely delivery of works in line with UNOPS standards.

The Associate Civil Engineer supports the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of construction projects. The role combines technical site supervision with construction management support functions, including contractor coordination, quality assurance, progress monitoring, and reporting.

The incumbent assists in ensuring that works are delivered in accordance with design specifications, quality standards, timelines, and health, safety, social and environmental (HSSE) requirements, under the guidance of the Project Manager.

Technical Assistance and Site Supervision

• Support day-to-day coordination with contractors and suppliers on site activities
• inspection and reporting on works in progress to ensure compliance with specifications and quality standards
• verification of contractor set-out, materials, and workmanship
• identifying site issues and support their resolution in coordination with the Project Manager and contractors
• Support monitoring of compliance with health, safety, social and environmental (HSSE) standards

Monitoring and Reporting

• monitoring progress of works against approved schedules and work plans
• Support identification of delays, risks, and implementation challenges
• Assist in the preparation of weekly and periodic progress reports
• Maintain records of site activities, materials, and labour
• Support preparation of inspection and field visit reports

Contract Management and Payment Support

• Measuring completed works and verifying contractor progress
• Review of Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) and related documentation
• Assist the PM in reviewing variation orders and contractor claims, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Support the PM in tracking of contractor performance against contractual requirements

Coordination and Communication

• Support coordination between contractors, and UNOPS project teams
• Participate in project meetings and assist in preparing minutes and tracking action points

Operational and Project Support

• Assist in project administration, procurement, and logistics activities
• Tracking of materials, materials approvals and records 
• Maintain organized records in line with UNOPS procedures and standards

Project Closure and Documentation

• Support the PM in project close-out activities, including inspections and handover processes
• Archiving technical, financial, and progress documentation
• Contribute to preparation of project completion reports

Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to knowledge sharing and lessons learned from project implementation
• Support preparation of technical documentation and summaries
• Participate in internal learning and knowledge-sharing initiatives

Required

• A High school diploma

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or related discipline combined will substitute for some of the years of experience
  
  

Desired

• Membership or certification in a recognized engineering or construction-related professional body is an asset

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant experience OR

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or related disciplines with 2 years of relevant experience is required

Desired

• Experience in reviewing contractor payments (IPCs) or supporting contract management processes

• Experience in Auto Cad an asset, Revit, Etabs

• Experience in site supervision, construction monitoring, or quality control

• A minimum of (2) years of experience in using Microsoft Project or Primavera is desired.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.